Sources of further advice on higher learning for advisers and learners

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Sources of further advice on higher learning for advisers and learners Higher learning at work series www.higherlearningatwork.org

2 Sources of further advice on higher learning

This document is for advisers and designed

in particular to support work-based advisers, for whom advising potential learners is only part of what they do. You may also work in one of the services listed below and work within a network.

If a learner is considering taking a pre-entry course or is thinking of applying to higher education (HE), then it is important that they take fully informed decisions. In addition to talking to you, using the National Careers Service, or using other websites or print-based materials to help them make their choice, it may be that you think that it would help them to speak to other advisers who can offer specific information or professional guidance.

General advice All of the following will know about work-based higher learning and will be able to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of particular routes:

yy Further education (FE) careers advisers: Learners currently

studying at an FE college or adult education centre are likely to have a college-based careers adviser. This person is often part of a student support team. They will be able to offer advice about gaining the right entrance qualifications for HE and applying for the right course.

yy University careers services: These usually only offer advice to their existing HE students, although some do offer pre-entry support to those interested in applying to the institution. It is therefore worth contacting them to clarify the specific advice services they offer.

yy The Open University: Those interested in the Open University can get free advice by visiting www.open.ac.uk/careers

yy National Careers Service: This is the national careers advice

service for adults from Directgov which offers free and impartial information and personalised careers advice and guidance via their dedicated advice line on 0800 100 900, open 8am to 10pm, seven days a week. Support is available in eight other languages as well as English.

A call-back service can be arranged if you are unable to find what you need on the first call. You can also make an appointment to meet an adviser face-to-face at one of the many Next Step offices across the country. Visit https://nationalcareersservice. direct.gov.uk for further information.

www.higherlearningatwork.org

“The National Careers Service helped me to decide which course would suit me best and advised me about the new loans for part-time learners at universities.�

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yy Information, advice and support for young people: The National

Careers Service can also help young people aged 13–19, available from 8am to 10pm daily, through a range of media, but not face-to-face at https://www2.cxdirect.com/home.htm and is also accessible through www.direct.gov.uk/youngpeople The free (from a landline) telephone number is 0800 100 900. A call-back service is available.

yy Commercial careers advisers: There are a number of commercial careers

advisers who charge a fee for their services. The professional body, the Institute of Career Guidance, has a list of members who provide advice. Visit www.icg-uk.org/find_a_careers_adviser.html to find a local adviser.

yy Sector Skills Councils (SSC): If a learner wants more information on careers advice and work related higher learning in specific sectors of employment they can contact the relevant Sector Skills Council (SSC).

You can get a list of the SSCs at www.sscalliance.org. Labour market information produced by the SSCs can be found at https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk

yy Unionlearn: Trade union members can follow links to the National Careers Service through the unionlearn website or call 0800 100 900 www.unionlearn.org.uk/advice/uladvice

www.higherlearningatwork.org

Sources of further advice on higher learning

“The National Careers Service website has job profiles and job market information and you can talk to an adviser if something isn’t clear.”

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Higher learning course information and advice A learner will need to know where they can study a course, what it involves and specific entrance requirements. The best source of information about any course is through the institution itself.

yy A university or college prospectus and website: All universities and

colleges produce a prospectus providing details of courses available at their institution. The information usually covers course content and entry requirements, as well as general information related to finances, student life etc. Some institutions also produce departmental prospectuses as well as detailed course booklets. For a free copy of a prospectus or course information learners should call the institution directly or order a copy online via their website. University and college websites will also provide a wealth of information and advice for learners and many will offer downloadable versions of their prospectuses, course brochures and other useful information.

yy Admissions, recruitment and widening participation departments:

Most institutions will have a central admissions or student recruitment department that takes initial enquiries from interested applicants and provides general information about entrance requirements. This department is also likely to organise open days, campus tours, etc. In addition, learners may also come across a widening participation department which is there to ensure a wide mix of learners is attracted to their institution.

The widening participation team often works with the admissions department to offer events or activities to attract prospective students.

yy Admissions tutor: For most courses at a university or college there will be

an admissions tutor who is responsible for setting entrance requirements, looking at application forms and organising other selection processes, such as interviews. If a learner has specific questions about entry to a particular course then the admissions tutor is the best person to ask. They will also advise on any exemptions to entry requirements for a mature student.

yy Student finance advice: Getting advice about the likely cost

of higher learning and the support that could be available is a crucial part of the decision making process. There is a vast amount of information available online including our own including our funding page at www.higherlearningatwork.org

www.higherlearningatwork.org

Sources of further advice on higher learning

“I was confused about how to fund higher learning because it has all changed. The links from the Higher Learning at Work website really helped.�

For the most detailed and up-to-date information on HE finance visit the official HE student finance web pages at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance For information about the changes in student finance from 2012 onwards visit http://studentfinance-yourfuture.direct.gov.uk The implications of the changes from 2012 are explored in a guide produced by Martin Lewis, who is heading up the Independent Student Finance Task Force. The guide is available at www.moneysavingexpert.com You will find that there are plenty of people able to offer advice, including those already listed in this document. Others are detailed below:

Published by unionlearn Congress House Great Russell Street London WC1B 3LS 020 7636 4030 www.unionlearn.org.uk

yy FE college welfare rights advisers: If a learner is currently studying at an

FE college or adult education centre they may have a college based welfare rights officer/student finance adviser. This person is often part of a student support team. They will be able to offer advice about the implications of taking an HE course, both in terms of the grants and loans that will be available and the impact these may have on any benefits the learner is receiving.

yy Citizens Advice Bureaux: A potential HE learner who receives any form of benefit may well wish to seek detailed advice on how becoming an HE student would affect them. For details of local CAB services visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk

yy Student union advisers: Some university and college student union

centres will employ advisers who provide information to students on financial issues. These advisers often work with potential HE students before they actually apply to the university or college. For more information about student union services visit www.nus.org.uk

yy High street banks: Most large high street banks have a student adviser who can provide up to date information and advice on student finances.

If a learner is considering applying to HE, contacting their usual bank to see if there is a service available can be a good starting point.

Other useful websites www.higherlearningatwork.org http://unistats.direct.gov.uk www.studentfinance2012.com/resources www.ucas.com

This document was originally produced by fdf – innovating workforce development.

Photography by iStockphoto.com reportdigital.co.uk